Fire extinguisher



March 11, 1930. F. T. MATTHEWS 1,750,184

FIRE EXTINGUISHER 'File d May 8, 1925 Iii/v em 1 Matthews Patented Mar.11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FRED THOMAS MATTHEWS, OF BRISBANE, AUSTRALIAFIB-E EXTINGUISHER Application filed May 8, 1925, Serial No. 28,919, andin Australia June 3, 1924.

This invention relates to tire extinguishers wherein a chemical solutioncapable of extinguishing tires is contained in a receptacle, and, whenrequired for use, is ejected therefrom by reason of a gas being formedtherein by the upsetting of the receptacle by means oi air pressure andother means. The object of the invention is to produce simple andefficient means for storing the chemical solution until required for useand for ejecting same under pressure when required."

In carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical container of thedesired capacity and capable of standing the necessary pressure.' Theupper end 01' the container is open and adaptedto carry a small bulb orreceptacle containing gas under pressure and having a plug in the end'capable of being punctured. A cap, which is screwed over the open mouthof the container, is provided for forcing the plug of the bulb orreceptacle against a hollow piercing point.

An outlet pipe leads from the bottom (inside) of the container to nearthe top, where it connects with a jet nozzle on the outside of thecontainer. The pipe is formed with a return bend so as to form a seal.

In some cases the container is made with two or more compartmentsto holddifierent chemicals, which, when brought together, make a fireeirtiliguishing gas. In this case, a pipe leads from the bottom of onecompartment to the top of the other, and, from the last compartment, apipe leads to the outlet nozzle. The pipes are each formed with a sealbend.

In order that my invention may be better understood I will now describeit with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is asectional elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of tive arrangement.

In carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical container A of thedesired capacity and capable of standing the necessary pressure. It isflat or dished at the lower an alternaend B so that it may standupright, and preferably domed at the top C. The upper end C of thecontainer A is open and carries a cradle D adapted to carry a bulb orreceptacle incidentally acts E containing gas under pressure, and havinga plug in the end E capable of being punctured. The cradle D has aflange D at the upper end, and is closed by means of the screwed cap F,which also secures the cradle D in position. In the arrangement shown inFigs. 1 and 2, the bottom of the cradle D is provided with a hollowpiercer G, from which deflecting passages H lead.

In order to normally and yieldingly hold the bulb in slightly spacedrelation to the plercer G, a coil spring K is arranged about the piercerthe respective ends bearing against the cradle and the bulb. This springto hold the flanges of the cradle against the edges of the opening inthe top of the receptacle as well as holding the bulb against the cap. Apacking K is mounted in the screw of the cap F.

The container A may be formed with a single compartment, as in Fig. 1,or with two compartments L, L as in Fig. 2.

An outlet pipe M formed with a double bend or seal M leads from thebottom of the container A to near the top, where it connects with a jetnozzle N on the outside of the container A. When the container A isformed with two compartments L, L a pipe P leads from the bottom of onecompartment L to the top of the other compartment L, the pipe P beingformed so as to provide a seal to prevent the passage of one chemical tothe other when the container A is up-ended. The outlet pipe M in thiscase leads from the upper compartment L to the nozzle N on the outsideof the container. The compartment L is filled through the plug Q.

l/Vhen more than two compartments are provided, the pipes from one tothe other would be suitably arranged.

The operation of my invention is as follows :-I have described acontainer A having one compartment, as in Fig. 1, and two com artments LL as in Fi 2. Referrin p 3 7 b t) first to the arrangement as shown inFig. 1, the fire extinguishing chemical is placed in the container A,and then the cradle D, with bulb or receptacle E filled with compressedgas, is put in place and secured by means of I the cap F, care beingtaken that the piercer G is prevented from piercing the bulb E.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the respective chemicals are placedin the compartments L, L and the cylinder closed, as before described,excepting that compartment L is closed by the plug Q.

The extinguisher is now ready for use, and, when required forextinguishing a fire, it is carried thereto and brought into operationby merely screwing down the cap F. This presses the bulb or compressedgas receptacle onto the piercer G, which cuts a hole therein andreleases the gas into the large chamber of the cylinder A, forcing thechemical, in the case of Fig. 1, out of the nozzle N. In the arrangementshown in Fig. 2, the gas from the bulb or receptacle E escapes into thecompartment L forcing the chemical therein into the compartment L, whereit mixes with the other chemical, forming a fire extinguishing gas whichforces its way out of the nozzle N.

IIaving now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is A fire extinguisher of the character described,including a main closed receptacle having an opening in the top thereof,a cradle having flanges on the upper end for engagement about the edgesof the opening for suspending the cradle within the receptacle, acompressed gas containing bulb on the cradle, a bulb piercing elementalso mounted in the cradle and provided with passages, a threaded capadjustably engaged upon the open end of the main receptacle about theopening, and a coiled expansion spring arranged between the bulb and thebulb piercing element and acting to hold the flanges of the cradleagainst the edges of the opening and the bulb against the cap,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

FRED THOMAS MATTI-IEIVS.

